Fundamentals of a Needs Assessment
By: Jacob Coverstone
(NA)
Jcoverstone@aao.org


Needs Assessment is the process of identifying and
measuring areas for improvement in a target
audience, and determining the methods to achieve
improvement.
A Needs Assessment is different than a list of needs.
A Needs Assessment draws linkages from
discovery of a problem to proposed resolution.
Fundamentals of a Needs Assessment
By: Jacob Coverstone
(NA)
Jcoverstone@aao.org

This PowerPoint seeks to answer the question “What
are the key components found a good Needs
Assessment document?”
SECTIONS AND CATEGORIES
Title
What is the subject of
this NA?
Executive Summary
What do intend to change, and what
method will you use to achieve your
goal?
Gap Summary
What does did your gap analysis
reveal? Write in layman's terms.
Gap Analysis
Clearly articulate the relevant
gap(s) for this intervention.
What components make up a ‘Needs Assessment’?
A DETAILED LOOK AT GAP
ANALYSIS
Gap Analysis
Clearly articulate the relevant gap(s) for this intervention.
Methods
How did you determine the gap?
Gap
Articulate the gap using normative
data. Provide explicate figures
when possible.
Ensure that the gap listed supports
the thesis of your Executive
Summary.
Footnotes
Use footnotes to expand upon general statements. Attach copies the
supporting material with the final NA.
Supporting your statements
SECTIONS AND CATEGORIES, CONT.
Barriers
What factors have contributed to
the formation of the gap?
Solutions
What do you plan to do about the
barriers that you have uncovered?
Structure of the
intervention
The summary explains what you are
doing about the gaps and barriers
that you have identified.
Details
Expand upon the summary by
explaining why you believe this is
the best course of action.
What components make up a ‘Needs Assessment’?
Fundamentals of a Needs Assessment
By: Jacob Coverstone
(NA)
Jcoverstone@aao.org

Key points:
A
Needs Assessment draws linkages.
 Explain:
 What
is wrong (the gap)
 What you intend to do about it (the intervention)
 What you have to work with (the resources)
 Why you think it will work (the research)